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SA wins at a Stretch over Vic Country

Ben Collins
Jun 1, 2014 4:58PM

Billy Stretch in action for the AIS-AFL Academy

THE SON of a gun has proved influential in undefeated South Australia's 22-point win over Victoria Country at AAMI Stadium in round two of the NAB AFL Under-18 Championships division one competition on Sunday.

Glenelg's Billy Stretch, the son of former Melbourne and Fitzroy wingman Steven Stretch, gathered an equal-team high 24 disposals and delivered at 75 per cent efficiency, to pilot the Croweaters to an impressive come-from-behind victory.

Stretch started at half-back before moving to a wing and improved as the game wore on with his composure and neat ball use.

In cold, slippery conditions, SA faced a 22-point deficit at quarter-time but thereafter outscored Vic Country 8.17 to just 3.3. They kept the visitors to just 1.2 in the middle two quarters.

SA skipper Jake Johansen, all 171cm and 63kg of him, again set a strong example for his teammates with 24 touches (including a game-high 19 kicks), seven clearances, six tackles and a goal.

Seventeen-year-old West Adelaide utility Aaron Francis overcame a slow start to have a significant impact on proceedings. After being well beaten by highly rated forward Tom Lamb in the first half, Francis responded well to a half-time spray and a shift to attack, finishing with two goals and two contested marks.

Fellow forwards Ryan Burton and Jackson Press spoiled their good work with wasteful tallies of 1.4 and 1.3 respectively.

SA's 197cm ruckman Sam Durdin continued to show promising signs in his comeback from thumb surgery, regaining some touch and kicking a goal.